Arsenal's Per Mertesacker furious with his team-mates after their 6-0 drubbing

DEJECTED: Per Mertesacker and his Arsenal team-mates react to going 2-0 down against Chelsea on Saturday [GETTY]

The German centre-back reckons the club should appeal to the Premier League as they are no good when it comes to early starts.

The Gunners' title hopes were demolished after crashing 6-0 at Chelsea on Saturday in the 12.45pm kick-off in a game which was meant to celebrate Arsene Wenger's 1,000 game in charge.

Wenger's men were also crushed 6-3 at Manchester City and 5-1 at Liverpool this season after kicking-off at lunchtime and have now conceded the same number of goals in those three games as in ALL 27 other league games.

"I don't know why, but it looks like we don't fancy early kick-offs away." said Mertesacker.

"It looks like we are going to have to apply to the FA to not play at 12.45 away. That would help us a lot.

WE NEED TO PUT THIS RIGHT: Mertesacker has demanded a reaction from his team-mates in Tuesday's game against Swansea [ACTION IMAGES]

“I don't know why, but it looks like we don't fancy early kick-offs away”

Per Mertersacker

"We wanted to start very strong and show people we are good enough, but they scored the two very early goals.

"But we must put this behind us now show our character and bounce back on Tuesday night against Swansea at Emirates Stadium. It's a good opportunity to react quickly after this result."

Wenger and his men held clear-the-air talks at their training ground yesterday.

Unsually, the Gunners boss also cancelled his pre-match press conference due to take place this morning.

But skipper Thomas Vermaelen insists the title race is not over for the Gunners, despite being seven points behind leaders Chelsea.

"There are still a few games to play,\" said the Belgium star. "In England you can do anything - I have learned that.

"You can easily come back, even from behind. The teams are all so strong. Anyone can beat anyone. We must continue to believe in it and move on."